ANGELUS LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Mater Dei Too Strong for Servite

If Servite could have figured a way to skip the third quarters in its two Angelus League games against Mater Dei this season, the Friars could have come close to upsetting the county’s No. 1-ranked team.

As it is, Mater Dei went on some awesome scoring runs in the third quarters of both games to post victories, including a 58-47 triumph over Servite Wednesday at Valencia High.

The Monarchs (23-1, 7-0 in league) turned a 26-23 halftime lead into a 47-33 advantage after three quarters and coasted the rest of the way. Otherwise, the teams played even, 37-37.

That also was the case Jan. 15, when Mater Dei outscored Servite, 24-11, in the third quarter after the Friars trailed by only a basket at the half. In that game, the teams also played to a tie in the other three quarters, 34-34.

But either time Servite (10-11, 3-4) couldn’t contain the Monarch offense, particularly Marmet Williams Wednesday.

Williams, a 6-foot-5 junior forward, scored 14 of his game-high 26 points in the third quarter. He also made six of nine free throws and had a team-high six rebounds.

“Missing the free throws didn’t affect him,” Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight said. “He had a great game.”

Servite didn’t help its cause, committing eight turnovers in the third quarter.

McKnight credited the close score at halftime on Servite’s methodical ball-controlling offense, a style, he said, that has some major drawbacks. “We got caught up in their style. One time they took over a minute to shoot the ball,” McKnight said. “With the style they run, if they get behind, they can’t catch up.”

Servite senior guard Eddie Rubio tried to get the Friars within range in the fourth quarter, scoring eight of his team-high 20 points, but Mater Dei wouldn’t fold. Rubio also finished with 11 rebounds.

Mater Dei guard Reggie Geary, who entered the game averaging 15 points, was limited to nine points. Forward Adam Anderson added 12 points for Servite before fouling out with 2 minutes 30 seconds left.

It was the last Angelus League game between the teams. Because of releaguing, Mater Dei moves to the South Coast League next season and Servite will play in the Sunset League.

“I won’t miss playing against them because of their style. It’s not fun,” McKnight said. “But I’ll miss the rivalry.”

In another league game:

Loyola 73, Santa Margarita 71 (OT)--Toby Bailey made a 15-foot shot with seven seconds left in overtime for host Loyola (8-12, 1-6). Santa Margarita is 17-5, 4-3.